Participants were trained to be Health Educators. The intervention focused on HIV risk reduction by teaching knowledge and skills to reduce injection, drug splitting, and sex risk, and by teaching communication skills to conduct outreach to personal risk network members. The intervention consisted of five group-based sessions, one individual session, and one dyad session with a risk network member.

Behavioral: Intervention Condition

In the intervention Condition participants were trained to be Health Educators. The intervention focused on HIV risk reduction by teaching knowledge and skills to reduce injection, drug splitting, and sex risk, and by teaching communication skills to conduct outreach to personal risk network members. The intervention consisted of five group-based sessions, one individual session, and one dyad session with a risk network member.

Other Name: STEP into action

Active Comparator: Control Condition

The control condition focused on injection drug-use related topics (e.g. HIV testing, Hepatitis C and drug overdose). The sessions were educational and did not include skills training. The control condition consisted of five group-based sessions.

Behavioral: Control Condition

The control condition focused on injection drug-use related topics (e.g. HIV testing, Hepatitis C and drug overdose). The sessions were educational and did not include skills training. The control condition consisted of five group-based sessions.

Detailed Description:

HIV seroincidence among injection drug users remains high, with unprotected sexual contact substantially contributing to new HIV infections among injection drug users (IDUs). Interventions that are culturally competent and target drug users' main sex and drug partners may be especially effective for HIV/STI and HCV control and prevention.

The intervention to be tested in this study draws upon theoretical and empirical evidence suggesting that peer educator programs can have significant effects on the risk-related behaviors of both the educators and the peers whom they educate. Specifically, through group and individual focused sessions, participants learn and practice skills designed to reduce drug and sex related risk behaviors. Furthermore, individuals and their main risk partners attend a training session that focuses on risk reduction within their relationship.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 75 Years

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

(i)Self reported injection drug use within the prior 6 months; (ii)Willingness to invite a risk network member into the study and to talk about HIV prevention; (iii)Age 18 or older

Exclusion Criteria:

Not concurrently enrolled in another HIV prevention intervention

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00218335